Pressing into Peace (Pressing On)

This week Pastor Travis is continuing with the series Pressing into Peace. We apologize because we had technical difficulties the past two weeks with the recording used to make these podcasts. This is week 3 of the series. Weeks 1 and 2 are briefly summarized at the beginning of this message. 

One way to discern whether you have an idol in your life is to answer the
following questions:
1. How do I spend my spare time, what am I doing?
2. What gets most of my energy, attention, and effort?
3. What comes to mind as soon as I wake up?
4. What seems to stir my emotions more than anything else?
5. What do I desire more than anything?
6. Who or for what am I willing to make sacrifices for?
7. On what do I spend most of my money and resources?

These are some of the scriptures from today:

Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Ephesians 6:10-14 (NLT)
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

James 1:21-26 (NLT)
21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

These are other scripture references from the message: 
Judge 6:23-35 (NKJV), Colossians 3:5 (NKJV)

Homework:
1) What’s my purpose?
2) What idols need to come down (what’s taking Gods place)?
3) What does it look like to put God in that place?

Thank you for listening and please join us next time for more great teaching from the word.